Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 12

Emily’s POV

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Stella walked into the kitchen, stepping over the broken glass. She looked at my bandaged hand, then at Nathan holding my wrist. Her face turned blank and cold.

“Your father couldn’t reach you through the mind link. He wants to finalize the guest list for your Alpha King ceremony. And he wants to know which Luna will be by your side when the title officially passes to you.”

“Is she seriously throwing herself at him right in front of us?” Nyx growled fiercely in my mind.

Nathan stayed silent. He kept staring at the bandage on my hand, still holding it and tracing it gently with his thumb. I felt a mix of pain and pleasure where his skin touched mine. My heart pounded, and I pleaded silently in my mind.

Stay. Please stay.

Suddenly, he let go of my wrist.

“You need to go to Doctor Reed,” he said. He was addressing me, yet he refused to look me in the eye.

The Alpha stood up.

“Marcus, Liam. Let’s go.”

Of course, Nathan wouldn’t stay with me. Not now, and not ever. The future Alpha King had a crown waiting for him and a future Luna. I was just an Omega, bleeding on his kitchen floor.

Stella flashed me a small, satisfied smirk before turning on her heel to keep up with them.

“What the Moon Goddess, Emily! Seriously, we leave you alone for one second, and this happens?” Jessie and Poppy stood in the kitchen doorway, staring in shock.

“Let me look at it.” Poppy knelt beside me, inspecting the wound. “The cut isn’t deep, but it needs to be cleaned. We should head to the clinic.”

“And after that, you’re going straight home,” Jessie added, eyeing my bleeding hand.

“I have a second hand. I can still help,” I protested.

They both laughed. Jessie and Poppy made some sandwiches while I sat and watched. When Dorothy walked in, the girls quickly pulled me outside before she could give us any chores.

At the clinic, Poppy washed out my wound, stitched it up, and wrapped it in a clean bandage.

“So, where is the garden?” I asked as we stepped back outside.

“On the edge of the pack territory.” Jessie pointed toward the tree line. “There’s more space out there. Trees, fields, everything.”

We walked through the center of the pack, and it was busy.

“Jessie… where do you live?” I turned to look at her. The morning air was crisp, carrying the sharp, comforting scent of pine and woodsmoke.

“With my brother.”

“And your parents?” The question slipped out before I could stop myself, and I realized a second too late that it might be a sensitive topic.

“They had been killed by rogues,” she said quietly.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Me too,” she replied softly.

Wanting to change the subject, I asked, “Are there many houses like that?”

“It depends on your rank. Higher-ranking wolves usually get their own houses. Like my brother—he’s the Beta, so he needs privacy. The doctors and older pack members live nearby, too.”

Jessie slowed down, and we did too.

“But younger wolves mostly stay in the packhouse. Like me.” Poppy grinned. “It’s loud, messy, and there’s always someone to talk to. There’s always something happening. Someone sneaking snacks from the kitchen. Someone is throwing a party. Someone is getting into trouble.”

“And when wolves find their true mate…” Jessie said with a dreamy look in her eyes. “That’s when they start wanting their own place. The Alpha orders a house to be built for them. A home to build a life together.”

I nodded, a dull ache in my chest. A home felt like something unreal.

We kept walking, and I couldn’t stop looking around. This place was huge, much bigger than my old pack’s territory. We passed houses with flowers, small cafés that smelled like coffee, and modern buildings. Everything felt alive, like this pack was really thriving. People sat on benches, talking and laughing. It was peaceful.

Finally, we reached the garden.

As soon as we walked in, everything changed. The pack’s noise faded, replaced by the hum of bees and the sound of leaves. Bright blue, red, and yellow flowers bloomed everywhere, moving in the breeze. Beyond them were neat rows of vegetables and berry bushes full of fruit. The air here was different. It smelled of damp earth, sweet nectar, and fresh plants.

Then we spotted Tessa, kneeling in the dark soil. She waved us over, gesturing for us to join her. Tessa gave us our tasks, and we got to work. I spent hours digging and planting seedlings. The work was quiet and calming. For a while, I forgot my problems.

Suddenly, someone blocked the light. Beta Blake stepped forward, his expression grave and unreadable.

“The Alpha wants to see you in his office,” he said.

My stomach tightened with nerves.

“What for?” Jessie chimed in protectively.

“Emily’s former mate is here,” Blake answered. “So hurry up. Everyone is already waiting for us.”

Ryan had found me.

My worst nightmare had just caught up to me.

Half an hour later, I stood outside the Alpha’s office, my legs heavy. I couldn’t remember walking through the halls; everything had blurred together in my panic.

Beta Blake paused, his hand hovering over the heavy oak door. He turned to face me, and for a split second, his stoic warrior mask slipped.

Please.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify